'Polarisation seems to be turning dangerously vicious'.

Byline: NUSRAT JAVEED

Prime Minister Imran Khan has surprised many by reaching the national assembly for delivering a 67-minute-long speech Thursday. For the past two days, however, the experienced observers of our power scene certainly expected him to speak out loud.

Due to numerous reasons, a feeling has gradually been developing of late that things have begun slipping from under the control of Imran Khan. A formidable group of our usual 'electables,' currently sitting in the national assembly on ruling party benches, began expressing their grievances after taking the floor during general discussion on budgetary proposals. A few of them also appeared on TV talk shows to embarrass the government with candid conversations.

Then came an 'explosive' interview, which an OTT-addicted minister, Fawad Chaudhry, granted to a senior journalist. After being aired on VOA, it went viral on social media. The said interview firmly projected the message that Imran Khan was leading a 'team' that 'worked' like a viciously divided house. Prime Minister was also attributed to have 'forewarned' his cabinet that if things went on the manner prevailing these days, 'our political scene is set to change in the next six months.'

PM Khan urge int'l community to take notice of Indian atrocities in IOK

To scuttle the feeling of doom and gloom, the prime minister surely required opening up his heart. And he did it for sure by delivering a comprehensive speech in the national assembly Thursday. Through the same, he must have reassured his political base that things remained under his absolute command and control. With dedicated zeal he continues to move forward towards achieving the agenda, set as per his vision.

Imran Khan has developed the reputation of a rage-inciting orator, vigorously taking on his political opponents with 'in your face'posturing. This put him in the league of 'populist' leaders, often accused of stoking and deepening divisions. He certainly sounded different Thursday. Only at the tale end of his speech, he reiterated his commitment to the process of accountability. But doing so, he kept insisting that opposition was wrong for calling him 'vindictive' in this context.

US accuses 10 countries of sponsoring human trafficking

With pleading passion, he rather attempted hard to make his audience realize that without holding its elite accountable, no country in the world could establish an equitable system. Democracy should rather be considered...